Tamworth 2-0 Boston United

The Pilgrims were dogged and determined prior to half-time as Tamworth attacked down the slope and with their wind in their favour.

Once Andy Todd had, however, handed Tamworth a 64th minute lead, United never looked like mustering a response and fell further behind to a Justin Richards goal 11 minutes from time.

With United deploying three centre-halves, Stefan Galinski was preferred to Spencer Weir-Daley, while Sam Vince started in goal with Lewis King cup-tied.

United were forced to contend with Tony Capaldi's monstrous long throw-ins early on and they stood up to the challenge.

The Pilgrims had three penalty shouts for handball waved away within a 10-minute spell and Tamworth's Wayne Thomas soon glanced a header wide from Capaldi's corner.

Todd then shovelled Capaldi's deep cross goalwards but Vince gathered on the line.

United sprang to life in the closing stages of the half. Ricky Miller's deflected drive was clutched by Cameron Belford at his near post before Miller did brilliantly to cross from the left and Liam Marrs arrived at the back post to slam high and wide with the goal at his mercy.

Belford made a brilliant, sprawling save to deny Marc Newsham who had got in on the wrong side of Ben Richards-Everton.

United started the second half on the front foot but Tamworth carved out the first chance of the second period, with ex-Pilgrim Richards powering a header wide following Lloyd Kerry's inviting cross.

The Lambs took the lead when United lost out on halfway and TODD was allowed a free run to finish low under Vince from 18 yards.

United huffed and puffed without ever mounting a serious challenge to the Tamworth goal and the hosts capped their win when Todd squared for RICHARDS to roll the ball home from 18 yards on 79 minutes.

Tamworth (4-4-2): Cameron Belford; Jordan Keane, Wayne Thomas, Ben Richards-Everton, Tony Capaldi (Kaiyne Woolery 81); Andy Todd, Lloyd Kerry, David Morgan, Andy Haworth (Mark Wright 90); Justin Richards, Richard Peniket. Subs (not used): Richie Baker, Darren Byfield, Myles Hippolyte.

Boston (3-5-2): Sam Vince; Stefan Galinski, Scott Garner, Carl Piergianni; Liam Marrs, Ian Ross, Conor Marshall, Jake Hall (Ben Milnes 76), Rene Steer; Marc Newsham (Spencer Weir-Daley 72), Ricky Miller (Netan Sansara 82). Subs (not used): Indy Aujla, Ben Fairclough.

Referee: Wayne Barratt

Attendance: 668 (200 visitors)

PIC: Ken Fox